Small core generation and analysis at-bit as LWD tool

Abstract

The present disclosure is related to an apparatus for taking a sample in a wellbore during drilling operations. The apparatus may include a drill bit configured to form a core and at least one retractable cutter internal to the drill bit for taking the sample from the core. The apparatus may also include equipment for analyzing the sample, extracting fluid from the sample, testing fluid from the sample, encapsulating the sample, and/or tagging the sample. The present disclosure is also related to a method for taking a core sample without interrupting drilling operations. The method includes taking a core sample using a drill bit configured to take a core sample using internal cutters. The method may also include analyzing the sample, extracting fluid from the sample, analyzing fluid from the sample, encapsulating the sample, and/or tagging the sample.

I claim: 
     
       1. An apparatus for encapsulating a sample in a wellbore, comprising:
 a drill bit configured to form a core; 
 a chamber configured to receive the sample from the core; 
 an encapsulater operably coupled to the chamber and configured to at least partially encapsulate at least part of the sample in an encapsulating material; and 
 a pressure applicator increasing a pressure on the sample before the sample is at least partially encapsulated. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the encapsulating material is at least one of: (i) a polymer, (ii) a gel, (iii) a metallic coating, and (iv) a clay. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the encapsulating material is easily distinguishable from drilling fluid and unencapsulated materials from the wellbore. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one retractable cutter internal to the drill bit configured to cut the sample from the core. 
 
     
     
       5. A method for encapsulating a sample in a wellbore, comprising:
 using a drill bit in the wellbore for forming a core; 
 using a retractable cutter internal to the drill bit for cutting a sample from the core and conveying the sample to a receiving chamber; 
 using a pressure applicator to increase a pressure on the sample; and 
 using an encapsulater operably coupled to the receiving chamber for at least partially encapsulating at least part of the sample in an encapsulating material after pressure has been increased on the sample. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , using, as the encapsulating material, at least one of: (i) a polymer, (ii) a gel, (iii) a metallic coating, and (iv) a clay. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 marking the encapsulating material using a tagging device. 
 
     
     
       8. An apparatus for encapsulating a sample in a wellbore, comprising:
 a drill bit configured to form a core; 
 a chamber configured to receive the sample from the core; 
 an encapsulater operably coupled to the chamber and configured to at least partially encapsulate at least part of the sample in an encapsulating material; and 
 a pressure applicator varying a pressure on the sample in the chamber. 
 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising a storage module receiving the sample from the chamber; and at least one seal selectively isolating the storage module from the chamber. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising a fluid analysis module receiving a fluid from the sample before encapsulation, the fluid analysis module estimating at least one parameter relating to the extracted fluid. 
     
     
       11. An apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the encapsulater is configured to at least partially encapsulate the sample while the sample is pressurized by the pressure applicator.